After Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, many Ukrainians began to think about migration. Escape from war is a completely natural desire. Canada, as a destination for permanent settlement, is a rather attractive place. An English-speaking country, pleasant climate, friendly people. Most importantly, hardworking people are valued in this country. So, if the standard of living of Canadians suits you, all that remains is to plan a move and find a financial cushion for the first months of your stay.
Preparing for the move
Recent changes to Canada's immigration regulations include new requirements for obtaining a visa or any other permission to enter the country. From now on, all applicants are required to provide biometric data - fingerprints and a photograph.
Requirements for accompanying documents
To apply for a visa, all required documents must be in French or English. If the originals are in another language, a translation must be attached, made by a professional translator and certified by the seal of a translation agency. It is worth noting that notarization is not mandatory. However, translations made by the applicant himself or by his family members are not accepted.
Is health insurance mandatory or not?
Although a medical insurance policy is not included in the list of mandatory documents for obtaining a visitor visa, its presence significantly increases the chances of a positive decision. It is recommended to take out insurance for the entire period of stay in Canada, with the amount of coverage not less than 40,000 US dollars.
Types of visas to Canada
Canada offers several categories of visas, each of which corresponds to a specific purpose of travel.
- Temporary Resident Visa. This type of visa allows you to stay in Canada for up to 6 months and is suitable for a variety of short-term trips.
- Transit visa. If a passenger is making a transfer in Canada and his stay in the country does not exceed 72 hours, he must apply for a transit visa.
- Student visa.
- Work visa. Required for anyone planning to work officially in Canada.
- Business visa.
- Permanent Resident Visa. This is an immigration visa type that entitles you to permanent residency (PR) in Canada.
Key steps in preparing for immigration to Canada
For those considering immigration to Canada, the preparation process is an important and multi-step process. If such a visit is part of an immigration strategy, the following costs should be considered:
- Visa fee – 100–150 CAD.
- One-way flight – about 900 USD per person.
- Accommodation – from 300 to 650 CAD.
- Meals – approximately 300 CAD.
- Car rental – about 600 CAD.
Additional expenses (shopping, souvenirs, entertainment) – the amount varies depending on personal needs.
Regardless of the type of program, with the exception of business immigration and investor programs, applicants must pay:
- The immigration processing fee is CAD 550 for each adult applicant and CAD 150 for a child.
- Medical examination – from 170 to 270 USD for each family member (the exact amount depends on the country of the procedure).
- The consular fee for permanent resident status is 490 CAD for adults, children are exempt from this payment.
Once all the formalities are settled, the next important stage comes – the actual move. Airfares cost from 700 USD and up, depending on the season and departure point.
Transport and transportation of personal belongings
When moving to Canada, one of the key issues is choosing the best way to transport your personal belongings. The main options are air freight or sea shipping.
Air freight to Canada
Air freight is a fast, but at the same time quite expensive, method of transportation. It will be the optimal choice in the following cases:
- High cost of transported items.
- Small dimensions (up to 2 meters) and weight up to 1000 kg.
- Urgent delivery required – approximately 2-5 days.
At the same time, due to the high cost of air transportation (about 6–6.5 USD per kilogram), the transportation of oversized or heavy cargo is economically unjustified.
Sea transportation of goods to Canada
If cost-effectiveness is the primary criterion and time is not a critical factor, sea transportation becomes a logical choice. The main features of cargo delivery by sea:
- Suitable for transporting heavy and bulky items.
- Delivery time is from 50 to 75 days, taking into account port forwarding, customs clearance, and security checks.
The cost of shipping a container ranges from $8,500 to $14,500, depending on the destination.
Sea shipping is great for transporting furniture, cars, large household appliances, and other bulky items.
Housing costs in Canada
Renting a property in Canada depends on many factors, with location and type of accommodation playing a key role. On average, a one-bedroom apartment will cost between $900 and $2,500 per month, while a two-bedroom apartment will cost between $1,200 and $3,000 per month.
Choosing a place to live is a matter of individual preference. Those looking for peace and a measured rhythm of life may be better off in Moncton or Charlottetown, small cities with comfortable living conditions. On the other hand, if a dynamic environment and developed infrastructure are your priority, you should pay attention to Montreal or Winnipeg.
The most expensive and cheapest cities for renting a home
When it comes to high rent costs, Toronto and Vancouver consistently top the list of the most expensive cities in Canada. On average:
- Vancouver – about 2300 USD per month for a 1-bedroom apartment.
- Toronto – approximately 2000 USD for a similar type of apartment.
In contrast to these cities, there are a number of locations where rent is much cheaper. Among the most affordable options:
- Quebec – the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is approximately 700 USD.
- Saskatoon – the monthly rent for housing of this format starts at 800 USD.
- Regina – the average cost of renting a one-bedroom apartment is about 850 USD.
Thus, the choice of a place to live depends on financial capabilities, lifestyle, and personal preferences.
Adaptation and cost of living in Canada
Moving to Canada not only brings new opportunities, but also significant costs during the initial stages of adaptation. Costs for housing, food, transportation, communication, and even health insurance can vary depending on the province and the lifestyle of the newcomer.
Health insurance
One of the key aspects of adaptation is health insurance. In the province of Ontario, for example, new immigrants do not have access to the government program OHIP (Ontario Health Insurance Program) for the first three months, so they need to apply for Medical Insurance. This insurance covers the costs of treatment for those who have not yet received free health care.
When choosing a policy, you should pay attention to the amount of insurance coverage, which can vary from 15,000 to 200,000 USD. The decision on the amount of insurance should be made taking into account personal needs and financial capabilities. For young people who do not expect serious health problems, the minimum coverage will be enough. At the same time, for older people or those with chronic diseases, it is better to choose a higher insurance limit, since the costs of treatment in Canada can be significant.
Food costs
The cost of groceries in Canada varies significantly depending on where you shop. On average, it will cost $100-$150 per week to feed a family of 2-3 people.
Approximate prices for basic goods:
- Milk – 1.6–2 USD/liter.
- Bread (500 g) – 2.1–2.4 USD.
- Eggs (12 pcs.) – 2.2–3 USD.
- Potatoes (1 kg) – 1.8–2.6 USD.
- Bananas (1 kg) – 1.3–1.6 USD.
- Chicken breast (1 kg) – 10.1–13.2 USD.
In large cities such as Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal, food will be more expensive than in smaller towns.
Transport and communication
City buses in Canada run on a strict schedule. During peak hours, the interval between trips is 5–10 minutes, during normal hours – 15–20 minutes. Public transport operates from 7:30 to 20:30 on weekdays and from 8:30 to 16:30 on weekends. The cost of a ticket is 1.5–2 dollars, and a monthly pass costs about 40 dollars.
In large cities such as Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver, the subway operates. It operates from 5:30 to 12:30 on weekdays and until 1:30 on Saturdays. The cost of a single ride is $2–5, a 7-ride pass will cost $14–20, and a monthly pass is $80–120.
Major mobile carriers include Telus, Bell, Rogers, and Fido. A basic package costs $50–$55 per month. It's important to note that caller ID and voicemail may be charged separately.
Clothing and shoes
Clothing prices in Canada are average for Europe, and during sales periods you can find great deals in large shopping malls.
- Levi's jeans – $45–50.
- Summer dress – $30–35.
- Leather shoes – $60–120.
Locals often buy clothes in large malls, as they have not only shops, but also entertainment, cafes, and children's areas, which makes shopping more enjoyable.
Ways to save money when moving to Canada
Living in Canada can be expensive, especially in the big cities, but there are many ways to optimize your expenses. From your housing choices to your transportation options, every aspect of life can be made more affordable.
Shared living – a way to save on rent
Renting a home is one of the biggest monthly expenses, but there are ways to significantly reduce the cost. One of the most common ways is to rent a room or apartment with other tenants. This allows you to share the costs of housing, utilities, and even internet.
To find a roommate or room, you should pay attention to platforms such as iRoommates, Kijiji, Rentola, Minto, Nestpick.
How to save on food?
Grocery prices in Canada can be quite high, but choosing the right store can help you cut costs. Popular supermarket chains that offer a wide range of products at affordable prices include:
- Loblaws.
- Metro.
- Sobeys.
- Walmart.
In addition, farmers markets are a great alternative for those who want to buy fresh and high-quality products directly from producers.
How to reduce public transport costs?
- Transfers between modes of transport. Some cities allow you to transfer from bus to train and vice versa for free - it is worth checking the conditions with local transport companies.
- Weekly or monthly tickets. Instead of paying for daily travel, it is more profitable to purchase a 7-day pass (≈ 25 CAD) or a monthly pass.
- Cycling is an economical and convenient option. Cycling is very popular in Canada. Almost all cities have bike paths, which makes cycling a convenient and economical option.
Total cost of moving to Canada for permanent residence
Canada has already welcomed more than 100,000 Ukrainians. Here is an example of the cost of emigration, referring to the post of a Ukrainian who moved to Canada with his wife, i.e. the cost takes into account the move of two people:
- Flights: A flight from Europe to Canada can cost an average of $1,800 for two adults.
- Renting an apartment. The cost of renting an apartment for the first two months was $2,000 ($1,000 per month).
- Food. Without visiting restaurants, but with shopping in supermarkets and occasional snacks (pizzerias, cafes), food expenses amounted to $1,550 for two months.
- Transportation. Expenses for public transportation and taxis amounted to $190.
- Car rental. Due to the need to have our own transportation, we rented a car for the first two months, which cost $1,300.
The total amount for moving and living for 2 months was: $6,840.
The level of expenses after moving to Canada largely depends on the province where you decide to settle. The cost of rent, food, transportation, health insurance and leisure can vary significantly depending on the region. For example, living in Toronto for one person renting a studio apartment will cost approximately 2,100 - 2,200 USD per month. At the same time, a similar standard of living in Quebec will cost 1,200 - 1,300 USD. In general, the financial system of Canada is built in such a way that even with a minimum wage, a person can afford a decent standard of living.
